Schools
Ossining Unveils Bus Cameras to Strengthen Student Safety
New initiative equips buses with 13 traffic cameras to reduce illegal passing and enhance student safety across Ossining School District.
The Ossining School District, in partnership with Westchester County, has rolled out new safety measures to protect students and ensure traffic laws are enforced. As part of this initiative, the district’s entire fleet of school buses are now equipped with 13 traffic cameras, both inside and outside each vehicle. These cameras are part of a broader effort to reduce the number of motorists who illegally pass school buses, particularly when students are boarding or disembarking.
The cameras are activated the moment a school bus stops, and the stop arm extends. At this point, the red lights flash, and cameras on the left side of the bus begin recording. These cameras capture any vehicle that illegally passes the stopped bus, guaranteeing that motorists who disregard bus safety laws are held accountable.
According to James Minihan, Director of Transportation for the Ossining School District, the rising number of incidents where motorists illegally pass stopped school buses has been a growing concern across for both the district and the county.
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“Once people realize these buses are equipped with cameras that automatically issue fines, word spreads fast,” said Mr. Minihan. “As a result, we’ve seen a decrease in vehicles passing stopped buses, which has made the ride much safer for our students.”
The penalty for illegally passing a stopped school bus is a $250 fine, which is automatically issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. The program is unique in that it comes at no cost to the school district, the county, or the bus contractor. Instead, the fines generated by the violations fully fund the installation and operation of the cameras and monitoring system, providing a sustainable way to keep students safe.
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“Our top priority is the safety of our students, both inside the classroom and while they are traveling to and from school,” said Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter. “This important initiative is a critical step in our effort to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our students.”
Ms. Fox-Alter added that these upgrades mark a significant step forward in the district’s efforts to ensure the safety and comfort of all students.
